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Scissors with a serrated, zigzag blade edge that cut a notched line into fabric to reduce fraying along a raw edge.

A dress form with a foam or similarly soft surface that accepts pins directly, allowing fabric to be draped and pinned in place on the body.

A very narrow, stitched fold of fabric, typically a few millimeters wide, sewn in parallel rows as a decorative textural detail on blouses and fine garments.

A grooved presser foot, typically used with a twin needle, whose channels guide fabric into narrow, evenly spaced raised folds called pintucks.

A folded bias strip encasing a cord, inserted into a seam so a raised, corded edge shows along the seamline as a decorative or defining detail.

A folded strip of bias fabric enclosing a cord, inserted into a seam to create a raised decorative or defining edge along garment seams.

A pattern alteration technique in which a section of a pattern is pivoted around a fixed point and slid to add or remove width or length without cutting the pattern apart.

A dart manipulation technique that moves a dart to a new position by pivoting the pattern piece around the dart apex without cutting the paper apart.

The fixed reference point on a pattern, often a bust point or hip point, around which a dart is rotated during dart manipulation.

Stopping with the sewing machine needle down at a corner, lifting the presser foot, and turning the fabric to continue stitching in a new direction.

Individual table mat, often quilted or interfaced for stiffness, sized to sit under a single place setting and finished with a straight or bound edge.

A finished, reinforced opening in a garment, strengthened with an extra strip of fabric, that allows buttons, a zipper, or the head to pass through.

The most basic seam, formed by stitching two fabric layers together along a seam allowance with right sides facing, then pressed open or to one side.

The simplest weave structure, formed by alternating single warp and weft threads over-under, producing a strong, stable, balanced fabric such as poplin or muslin.

A section of fabric folded back on itself and pressed or stitched in place, adding controlled fullness or decorative shaping to a garment.

A skirt constructed with folded, pressed, or stitched-down folds of fabric arranged around the waist to control fullness while allowing movement.

A true vertical reference line, established with a weighted string or level, used during fitting to check whether a garment's center front, center back, or side seam hangs straight.

A pouch or opening sewn into or onto a garment for holding small items, constructed as a patch, inseam, welt, or besom pocket depending on placement.

A narrow wooden tool with pointed ends used to press open the seam allowances inside sharp corners such as collar points and cuffs.

Blunt-tipped hand tool used to push out fully stitched corners, such as collar points or pocket flaps, without piercing the fabric or fraying the seam.

A synthetic petroleum-based fibre valued for durability, wrinkle resistance and low cost; woven or knitted alone or blended with natural fibres.

A durable, easy-care lining fabric made from polyester fibre, resistant to wrinkling and shrinking though less breathable than natural-fibre linings.

An all-purpose sewing thread with high strength, low shrinkage and good elasticity, suitable for most woven and knit fabrics including synthetics.

A simple outer garment made from a single piece of fabric with a central opening for the head, draping over the shoulders without sleeves.

A medium-weight double-knit fabric, usually of polyester, viscose and spandex, with a firm hand and good stability, popular for structured knit garments.

Excess fabric that collects and folds in a concentrated area of a garment, such as below the seat or at the small of the back, rather than lying smooth.

A tightly woven plain-weave cotton or cotton-blend fabric with a fine crosswise rib, crisp yet soft, popular for shirts and dresses.

A lightweight, compact sewing machine designed for easy transport, typically used for travel or classes, usually offering a smaller stitch repertoire than full-size models.

An industrial machine with the bed raised on a vertical post above the table, giving access for stitching around bags, shoes, and other three-dimensional items.

Garment modification, such as side-seam openings or drain access points, designed to be worn comfortably over dressings or medical equipment during recovery.

Short for PatternReview.com, a long-running online community where sewists post detailed reviews of commercial and indie sewing patterns before others buy them.

Laundering fabric before cutting a garment to remove sizing, allow shrinkage, and test colourfastness, so the finished garment behaves the same way as the fabric was tested.

Treating fabric, interfacing or trims with heat or moisture before cutting so later shrinkage does not distort a finished garment.

A protective layer of cloth placed between the iron and the garment fabric to prevent shine, scorching, or direct heat marks during pressing.

A padded, glove-shaped pressing cushion worn on the hand, used to press curved and hard-to-reach garment areas such as shoulders and sleeve caps.

The vertical metal bar that holds the presser foot and moves up or down to raise it clear of the fabric or lower it to apply stitching pressure.

Too much foot pressure flattens pile and stretches knits; too little lets fabric wander or fail to feed. Adjust the pressure dial to suit the fabric weight, lowering it for delicate or bulky fabrics.

Using an iron with an up-and-down motion, rather than sliding, to set seams, creases and shape during construction, done at each stage rather than only at the end.

A layer of fabric placed between the iron and the garment to protect delicate materials from direct heat, shine, and scorch marks.

Pressing both seam allowances flat in opposite directions from the stitching line, reducing bulk and producing a smooth, flat seam.